23rd Annual DC Blues Festival September 3, 2011

The DC Blues Festival returns to Carter Barron Amphitheater with a great line-up on September 3rd. There’s no real big name headliner, but the DC Blues Society has brought in two great acts from out of town to go with some impressive local talent. There’s always a great family atmosphere at the festival and this year’s also features children’s workshops by local blues artists including Choo-Choo Charlie Williams, J.P. Reali, and members of the Archie Edwards Barbership Foundation.

The local performers, Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark and Nadine Rae are both blues acts on the rise. Though neither is exactly young, they’ve both shown a recent renewed dedication to the music. Clark’s harmonica skills showcase a lot of blues classics mixed with some originals all played with a touch of funk. Nadine Rae has a huge voice in an Etta James-vein that’s great for the blues, though you can still hear the church in there too. We’re lucky to have her performing blues and R&B regularly around the area.

Grady Champion

The two out-of-town acts can be seen as co-headliners. It’s good to see them both on the road touring. Grady Champion is still in the midst of something of a comeback. He released a couple of acclaimed albums for the Shanachie label in the late 90s and then faded from the national spotlight. A victory at the 2010 International Blues Challenge brought the attention back. Champion’s singing and harp playing show it’s well deserved. He’s a clever songwriter with a great gravelly blues voice. His recent CD Dreamin’ has Champion fulfilling the promise he’s shown all along.

Similarly, Preston Shannon looked poised to break out to big things with his 1996 album Midnight in Memphis. Rather than touring frequently, Shannon settled in as a Beale Street regular playing his brand of soul-drenched blues for folks at the clubs in Memphis. It’s fitting that he’s a regular at B.B. King’s club there as King is a hug influence. It’s good to see him back on the road hitting some festivals and he’s sure to offer a great set at Carter Barron.

Schedule:

12:20 – 1:20 pm DC Blues Society Band

1:30 – 2:45 pm Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark

2:55 – 4:10 pm Nadine Rae & the Allstars

4:20 – 5:45 pm Grady Champion

5:55 – 7:25 pm Preston Shannon

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